State drought. Overall California residents cut water use by 27% in June, beating governor's mandate, but some cities fall short. Arcadia's target was a 36% reduction but in June, the city achieved a 28% reduction.
Efforts to reduce water use continue in Arcadia. Sprinkler station cycles are limited to 10 minutes. The new water use restrictions limit outdoor watering of grass and plants to two days per week, Tuesday and Saturday, before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Arcadia issues $10,000 in fines since June to homeowners who have not been helping the city reach its water conservation rate of 36% amid California's worst drought on record, and installs flow restrictors on homes.
Arcadia City Council tightens regulations on water use. Outdoor irrigation citywide is restricted, by a newly passed ordinance, to 3 days a week-Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Watering is prohibited between 9 AM and 6 PM, in addition to "during and 48 hours after measurable rainfall." Arcadia City Council approves purchase of replacement water ahead of time. See hard copy in VF "Water."
Sierra Madre and Arcadia engaged in water fight. Sierra Madre accused Arcadia of stealing water from a shared East Raymond Basin. Holly Whatley, Sierra Madre's assistant city attorney, said the California Supreme Court divided the east and west Raymond Basin in a 1944 judgment. Arcadia spent $2.8 million to build its Anoakia Well in 2001 and its Colorado Well in 2007. Hydrogeology expert Tim Thompson said although Arcadia's two wells reside on the eastern side, the wells actually draw ground water that originates from the West Raymond Basin. He said there is very little water traveling from the east and west basins because of a hydrogeological barrier, and a scientific look at the ground shows that Arcadia is taking adjudicated water from the West Raymond Basin. See hard copy in VF Water.
Arcadia City Council will vote on a modest water conservation plan that will ban water usage in fountains, restrict water service at restaurants, and ban outdoor watering between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The City's plan is not as drastic as measures taken by many other California cities amid the state's severe drought conditions. The City is required to adopt a conservation plan following the State Water Resources Control Board's decision to impose emergency conservation regulations.
Drought ordinance approved. Beginning April 22, 2015, Arcadia water customers can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, after 6:00 PM and before 9:00 AM only.
Due to increased precipitation upstate, Arcadia relaxes watering restrictions. Residents can now water lawns Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May through October. From November through April, residents still limited to Tuesday and Saturday.
Because of California's intense two year drought, water rates will need to go up to cover the costs of getting outside water. Also, pumping costs are greater due to soaring energy costs.
Thousands of San Gabriel Valley customers will be receiving refunds from Golden State Water Company after state regulators ruled the San Dimas-based company failed to properly oversee contracts that led to overcharging customers. The CPUC ruled that Golden State must refund Northern California and Southern California customers $9.5 million over the next 3 years and/or lower rates. About $400,000 in refunds will be given to 100,000 Southern California customers, including customers in Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina, Glendora, La Verne, San Dimas, Walnut, San Gabriel, Arcadia, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Temple City.
San Gabriel Valley All-Star game ends season. The game was hosted by South Hills High School. Two longtime SGV coaches were inducted into the San Gabriel Valley Hall of Honor--Steve Gewecke of Alhambra and Dan Henley of Glendora. Gewecke had played for longtime Arcadia coach John Meiers.
Arcadia to deliberate implementation of Phase I of prohibited water use at August 5 City Council meeting. The State Water Board recently adopted an Emergency Regulation for statewide urban water conservation. Photo of Peacock Fountain.
Steve and Yan-Fen Lin, a couple possibly of Arcadia, have been running the illegally modified townhome in San Gabriel, owned by Dwight Chang of Arcadia, as a maternity home for Asian tourists. They violated building codes for setting up a makeshift maternity ward.
Arcadia city officials have adopted a voluntary water conservation program that aims to reduce annual water consumption by 10 percent. Currently there is a state wide drought and a local water supply shortage. Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has voted to raise water rates 14 percent in July 2009. The other two main sources of the city's water are the Main San Gabriel Basin and Raymond Basin.